Locking mechanism for pillarless door and vehicle

Abstract

A locking mechanism for a pillarless door and a vehicle, the locking mechanism comprising: a first body mounted on a first side door and having a first cavity; a second body mounted on a second side door and having a second cavity opposite to the first cavity; a locking member configured to be movably received between the first cavity of the first body and the second cavity of the second body; and a gas generator comprising a squib and an inflation chamber containing a gas generating agent, the gas generating agent configured to burn by igniting the squib, wherein the inflation chamber is separated from the first cavity by a bursting membrane.

Description

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2020-0057399, filed on May 13, 2020, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] The present disclosure relates to a locking mechanism for a pillarless door. Background Art

[0004] In recent years, some vehicles are equipped with pillarless doors from which center pillars (or B-pillars) are removed to increase living ability by expanding the interior space of the vehicle.

[0005] In order to enhance riding performance, research and development on pillarless sliding doors that allow front and rear side doors to slide in a longitudinal direction of a vehicle and remove a center pillar therebetween are being actively conducted.

[0006] Meanwhile, vehicles equipped with pillarless doors have pillar-shaped reinforcements embedded in each of the front and rear side doors to prepare for side collisions. These reinforcements reinforce each of the front and rear side doors. However, the pillar structures of the front and rear side doors are not connected. Therefore, in the event of a side collision, the front and rear side doors may separate excessively, potentially causing significant deformation of the vehicle body.

[0007] To overcome these problems, a center door latch mechanism (or center door locking mechanism) located between the front and rear side doors has been proposed. However, the front and rear side doors must be opened and closed sequentially, which reduces convenience. This center door latch mechanism increases the weight of the vehicle and is exposed to the outside, which detracts from the appearance.

[0008] The above information described in this Background section is provided to help understanding the background of the present inventive concept and may include any technical concepts known to those skilled in the art that are not considered to be prior art. Summary of the Invention

[0009] The present disclosure relates to a locking mechanism for a pillarless door. Specific embodiments relate to a locking mechanism for a pillarless door that mechanically connects a front door and a rear door to provide a load path between the front door and the rear door in the event of a side impact.

[0010] The present disclosure solves the problems occurring in the prior art while completely maintaining the advantages obtained by the prior art.

[0011] Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a locking mechanism for a pillarless door that mechanically connects a front side door and a rear side door to provide a load path between the front side door and the rear side door in the event of a side collision.

[0012] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a locking mechanism for a pillarless door may include a first body, which is mounted on a first side door and has a first cavity; a second body, which is mounted on a second side door and has a second cavity opposite to the first cavity; a locking member, which is movably received between the first cavity of the first body and the second cavity of the second body; and a gas generator, which includes a squib and an inflator chamber containing a gas generator, the gas generator burning by igniting the squib, wherein the inflator chamber can be separated from the first cavity by a burst membrane.

[0013] The first cavity may have a volume capable of receiving the entire locking member, and the second cavity may have a volume capable of receiving a portion of the locking member.

[0014] The first body may include a first opening communicating with the first cavity, and the first opening may be positioned opposite to the second body.

[0015] The second body may include a second opening communicating with the second cavity, and the second opening may be positioned opposite to the first body.

[0016] The second body may include a plurality of vent holes communicating with the second cavity; and the plurality of vent holes may face the second opening.

[0017] The first body may be aligned with the second body in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle when the first side door and the second side door are closed.

[0018] The locking member may include a first end surface facing the second body and a second end surface facing the burst membrane.

[0019] When the gas generator operates, the locking member may move toward the second cavity of the second body so that the first end surface of the locking member may be received in the second cavity of the second body and the second end surface of the locking member may be received in the first cavity of the first body.

[0020] The locking member may include a third cavity for receiving gas generated by the gas generator, a plurality of vent holes communicating with the third cavity, and a third opening communicating with the third cavity. The plurality of vent holes may be provided in the first end surface; and the third opening may be provided in the second end surface.

[0021] The locking member may include a first through hole communicating with the third cavity, a first locking pin movably received in the first through hole, a second through hole communicating with the third cavity, and a second locking pin movably received in the second through hole, and the first locking pin and the second locking pin can be moved toward the outside of the locking member by the pressure of the gas contained in the third cavity.

[0022] The first body may include a first locking recess communicating with the first cavity, and the second body may include a second locking recess communicating with the second cavity. When the first end surface of the locking member contacts the inner surface of the second body through operation of the gas generator, the first through-hole may be aligned with the first locking recess, and the second through-hole may be aligned with the second locking recess.

[0023] The first body may include a plurality of tear panels disposed around the first opening, wherein the plurality of tear panels may support the first end surface of the locking member when the gas generator is not in operation, and each tear panel may be made of a brittle material that can be broken under a predetermined force.

[0024] The bursting disk may be made of a frangible or rupturable material that ruptures when the pressure in the inflatable chamber is greater than or equal to a predetermined pressure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present disclosure will become more apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0026] Figure 1 A locking mechanism for a pillarless door according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure is shown, which is mounted on a side door of a vehicle;

[0027] Figure 2 shows a perspective view of a locking mechanism for a pillarless door according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0028] Figure 3 Shown Figure 2 A vertical cross-sectional view of a locking mechanism for a pillarless door is shown;

[0029] Figure 4 Shown Figure 3a state of the locking member shown wherein the locking member is moved toward the second cavity of the second body;

[0030] Figure 5 Shown Figure 2 A horizontal cross-sectional view of the locking mechanism for a pillarless door is shown;

[0031] Figure 6 Shown Figure 5 a state of the locking member shown wherein the locking member extends from the first cavity of the first body to the second cavity of the second body;

[0032] Figure 7 Shown Figure 6 a state of the locking member shown in which a portion of the first locking pin of the locking member is received in the first locking recess of the first body, and a portion of the second locking pin of the locking member is received in the second locking recess of the second body;

[0033] Figure 8 shows a perspective view of a first body in a locking mechanism for a pillarless door according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0034] Figure 9 shows a perspective view of a second body in a locking mechanism for a pillarless door according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0035] Figure 10 A perspective view showing a locking member in a locking mechanism for a pillarless door according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0036] Figure 11 Shown from Figure 10 A view viewed in the direction indicated by arrow A; and

[0037] Figure 12 Shown from Figure 10 The arrow B indicates the direction of observation of the view. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0038] Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the accompanying drawings, the same reference numerals will be used throughout the text to represent the same or equivalent elements. In addition, in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the key points of the present disclosure, detailed descriptions of known technologies associated with the present disclosure will be omitted.

[0039] Terms such as first, second, A, B, a and b can be used to describe the elements in the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. These terms are only used to distinguish a kind of element from another kind of element, and the inherent characteristics, order or sequence of corresponding elements etc. are not limited by these terms. Unless otherwise defined, all terms including technology or scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as those of ordinary skill in the art to which the present disclosure belongs. Such terms as defined in general dictionaries should be interpreted as having the same meaning as the contextual meaning in the relevant art, and unless clearly defined as having an ideal or over-formalized meaning in the application, it should not be interpreted as having an ideal or over-formalized meaning.

[0040] Reference Figures 1 to 7 The locking mechanism 10 for a pillarless door according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may include a first body 11 having a first cavity 21, a second body 12 having a second cavity 22, and a locking member 13 movably received in the first cavity 21 of the first body 11 and the second cavity 22 of the second body 12.

[0041] Reference Figure 1 , the vehicle may have a first side door 3 and a second side door 4 mounted on the side of the vehicle, which constitute pillarless doors by removing the center pillar between the first side door 3 and the second side door 4. The first body 11 may be mounted on the first side door 3, and the second body 12 may be mounted on the second side door 4. The first body 11 may be separated from the second body 12 and aligned with the second body. The first body 11 may be mounted on the inner panel or interior of the first side door 3 using fasteners and / or the like, and it is not exposed to the interior or exterior of the vehicle. The second body 12 may be mounted on the inner panel or interior of the second side door 4 using fasteners and / or the like, and it is not exposed to the interior or exterior of the vehicle.

[0042] like Figure 1 As shown, according to an exemplary embodiment, the first side door 3 can be a rear side door adjacent to the rear of the vehicle, and the second side door 4 can be a front side door adjacent to the front of the vehicle. The first body 11 can be installed at the front end of the rear side door, and the second body 12 can be installed at the rear end of the front side door.

[0043] According to an alternative exemplary embodiment, the first side door 3 may be a front side door, and the second side door 4 may be a rear side door. That is, the first body 11 may be installed at the rear end of the front side door, and the second body 12 may be installed at the front end of the rear side door.

[0044] refer to Figures 2 to 8The first body 11 may include a first cavity 21 for receiving the locking member 13, and a first opening 21a communicating with the first cavity 21. The first cavity 21 may be defined within the first body 11. The first body 11 may have a closed wall 11a facing the first opening 21a. The first cavity 21 may be connected to the second body 12 through the first opening 21a, and the first opening 21a may be positioned opposite the second body 12. In particular, the first cavity 21 may have a volume capable of receiving the entire locking member 13, so that the locking member 13 can be completely received in the first cavity 21 through the first opening 21a.

[0045] refer to Figures 5 to 8 The first body 11 may include a first locking recess 17 and a first tool hole 17a in communication with the first cavity 21. The first cavity 21 may be defined within the first body 11 and may have a shape corresponding to that of the locking member 13, such that the locking member 13 is removably received within the first cavity 21 of the first body 11. The first locking recess 17 may be aligned with the first tool hole 17a in the width direction of the first body 11, and the first locking recess 17 and the first tool hole 17a may be formed by drilling holes in the width direction of the first body 11. The first locking recess 17 may be provided in one sidewall of the first body 11, and the first tool hole 17a may be provided in the other sidewall of the first body 11. The first locking recess 17 and the first tool hole 17a may face each other relative to the first cavity 21. The first locking recess 17 may not be formed through one sidewall of the first body 11, and the first tool hole 17a may be formed through the other sidewall of the first body 11.

[0046] Reference Figures 2 to 7 and Figure 9 The second body 12 may include a second cavity 22 for receiving a portion of the locking member 13, a second opening 22a communicating with the second cavity 22, and a plurality of vent holes 34 communicating with the second cavity 22. The second cavity 22 may be defined within the second body 12 and positioned opposite the first cavity 21. Specifically, the second opening 22a of the second cavity 22 may be aligned with the first opening 21a of the first cavity 21. The second cavity 22 may have a volume capable of receiving a portion of the locking member 13, so that the locking member 13 may be partially received in the second cavity 22 through the second opening 22a. The second body 12 may have a closed wall 12a facing the second opening 22a, and the plurality of vent holes 34 may be bored into the closed wall 12a. Therefore, the plurality of vent holes 34 may face the second opening 22a. When the locking member 13 moves to the second cavity 22 , air contained in the second cavity 22 may be discharged to the outside of the second body 12 through the plurality of vent holes 34 , so that the locking member 13 may easily move within the second cavity 22 of the second body 12 .

[0047] refer to Figure 9 The second body 12 may include a second locking recess 18 and a second tool hole 18a in communication with the second cavity 22. The second cavity 22 may be defined within the second body 12 and may have a shape corresponding to that of the locking member 13, such that the locking member 13 is movably received in the second cavity 22 of the second body 12. The second locking recess 18 may be aligned with the second tool hole 18a in the width direction of the second body 12. The second locking recess 18 and the second tool hole 18a may be formed by drilling holes in the width direction of the second body 12. The second locking recess 18 may be provided in one sidewall of the second body 12, and the second tool hole 18a may be provided in the other sidewall of the second body 12. The second locking recess 18 and the second tool hole 18a may face each other relative to the second cavity 22. The second locking recess 18 may not be formed through one sidewall of the second body 12, and the second tool hole 18a may be formed through the other sidewall of the second body 12.

[0048] Reference Figure 1 When first side door 3 and second side door 4 are closed, first body 11 may be aligned with second body 12 in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, and first body 11 may be adjacent to second body 12. For example, the longitudinal axis of first body 11 may coincide with the longitudinal axis of second body 12, and when first side door 3 and second side door 4 are closed, first cavity 21 of first body 11 may be positioned opposite second cavity 22 of second body 12. Thus, locking member 13 may be movable between first cavity 21 and second cavity 22.

[0049] The locking mechanism 10 for a pillarless door according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may include a gas generator 40 that generates gas in the event of a vehicle collision to move the locking member 13. Specifically, the gas generator 40 may allow the gas generated in the vehicle collision to push the locking member 13 received in the first cavity 21 of the first body 11 toward the second cavity 22 of the second body 12.

[0050] The gas generator 40 may include a squib 41 and a gas chamber 42 containing a gas generating agent 28 , which is combusted by igniting the squib 41 .

[0051] A squib 41 may be mounted on the first body 11 , and a controller 50 such as an airbag control unit may be electrically connected to the squib 41 .

[0052] A plenum chamber 42 may be defined within the first body 11 and may open to the first cavity 21 of the first body 11. The plenum chamber 42 may contain a gas generating agent 28. The plenum chamber 42 may be separated from the first cavity 21 by a rupture membrane 26. The rupture membrane 26 may seal the plenum chamber 42. The rupture membrane 26 may be made of a brittle or rupturable material and may thus be easily ruptured when the pressure in the plenum chamber 42 is greater than or equal to a predetermined pressure.

[0053] The gas generator 40 may further include a buffer membrane 27 disposed within the plenum chamber 42, facing the burst membrane 26. The buffer membrane 27 may be made of a buffering material such as sponge. The buffer membrane 27 may be attached to the inner surface of the closed wall 11a of the first body 11. The buffer membrane 27 may help hold the gas generator 28 in place and / or cushion the gas generator 28 from vibration and impact.

[0054] A squib 41 may be positioned opposite the plenum chamber 42 and may include a heating circuit (such as a filament) and gunpowder. An ignition material 43 may be disposed around the squib 41. When an electrical signal is applied to the squib 41 by a controller 50, such as an airbag control unit, the squib 41 ignites the ignition material 43. Ignition of the ignition material 43 causes the gas generating agent 28 to combust, thereby instantly generating a large amount of gas in the plenum chamber 42.

[0055] Reference Figure 3 and Figure 5 When the gas generator 40 is not in operation (ie, the gas generator 40 does not generate gas), the locking member 13 may be completely received in the first cavity 21 of the first body 11. Figure 4 and Figure 6 When the gas generator 40 is operating (i.e., the gas generator 40 generates gas), the locking member 13 can be moved toward the second cavity 22 by the gas, so that a portion of the locking member 13 can be received in the second cavity 22 of the second body 12, and the remaining portion of the locking member 13 can be received in the first cavity 21 of the first body 11.

[0056] Reference Figure 3 、 Figure 5 as well as Figures 10 to 12, the locking member 13 may include a first end face 61 facing the second body 12 and a second end face 62 facing the burst membrane 26. The locking member 13 may have a third cavity 23 for receiving the gas generated by the gas generator 40, a plurality of vents 33 communicating with the third cavity 23, and a third opening 23a communicating with the third cavity 23. The third cavity 23 may be defined within the locking member 13. The plurality of vents 33 may be provided in the first end face 61 of the locking member 13; and the third opening 23a may be provided in the second end face 62. When the locking member 13 moves to the second cavity 22, the air or gas received in the third cavity 23 may be discharged to the outside of the locking member 13 through the plurality of vents 33, so that the locking member 13 may be easily moved within the second cavity 22 of the second body 12. Reference Figure 3 and Figure 4 , the vent hole 33 of the locking member 13 may not be aligned with the vent hole 34 of the second body 12 .

[0057] Reference Figures 5 to 7 The locking member 13 may include a first through-hole 35a communicating with the third chamber 23, a first locking pin 35 movably received in the first through-hole 35a, a second through-hole 36a communicating with the third chamber 23, and a second locking pin 36 movably received in the second through-hole 36a. The first through-hole 35a may be formed in one sidewall of the locking member 13, and the first through-hole 35a and the first locking pin 35 may be adjacent to the second end surface 62. The second through-hole 36a may be formed in one sidewall of the locking member 13, and the second through-hole 36a and the second locking pin 36 may be adjacent to the first end surface 61. As the pressure in the third chamber 23 increases, the first locking pin 35 and the second locking pin 36 may move toward the outside of the locking member 13.

[0058] Reference Figure 8 The first body 11 may include a plurality of tear panels 51 disposed around the first opening 21a, and each tear panel 51 may be made of a brittle material that easily breaks when a predetermined force is applied thereto. For example, the plurality of tear panels 51 may be disposed at corners of the first opening 21a, and the plurality of tear panels 51 may support the first end surface 61 of the locking member 13. When the vehicle is not in a collision (i.e., the controller 50 has not detected a collision of the vehicle, and the gas generator 40 is not operating), the locking member 13 may be retained in the first cavity 21 by the plurality of tear panels 51.

[0059] When the vehicle collides, the controller 50, such as an airbag control unit, can detect the collision and transmit an electrical signal corresponding to the collision to the squib 41 of the gas generator 40 to allow the squib 41 to ignite the ignition material 43. The gas generating agent 28 can be burned by the ignition of the ignition material 43, and a large amount of gas can be immediately generated in the inflation chamber 42. Figure 4 and Figure 6 As shown, when the pressure in the inflation chamber 42 increases to a predetermined pressure or higher, the bursting membrane 26 may rupture, so that gas may flow from the inflation chamber 42 into the third cavity 23 of the locking member 13, and the locking member 13 may be moved toward the second cavity 22 of the second body 12 by the pressure of the gas 29 flowing into the third cavity 23. Therefore, the first end surface 61 of the locking member 13 may be received in the second cavity 22 of the second body 12, and the second end surface 62 of the locking member 13 may be received in the first cavity 21 of the first body 11. Therefore, the locking member 13 may extend between the first cavity 21 of the first body 11 and the second cavity 22 of the second body 12, and the locking member 13 may physically or mechanically connect the first body 11 and the second body 12.

[0060] Reference Figure 4 and Figure 6 , as the gas generated by the gas generator 40 flows into the third cavity 23 of the locking member 13, the first end surface 61 of the locking member 13 can be received in the second cavity 22 of the second body 12, and the first end surface 61 of the locking member 13 can contact the closed wall 12a of the second body 12. When the first end surface 61 of the locking member 13 contacts the closed wall 12a of the second body 12, the first through hole 35a can be aligned with the first locking recess 17 of the first body 11, and the second through hole 36a can be aligned with the second locking recess 18 of the second body 12. The vent hole 33 of the locking member 13 can be closed by the closed wall 12a of the second body 12, and the vent hole 34 of the second body 12 can be closed by the first end surface 61 of the locking member 13. Figure 7As shown, the first locking pin 35 and the second locking pin 36 can be moved toward the outside of the locking member 13 by the gas pressure contained in the third chamber 23 of the locking member 13. When the first locking pin 35 moves through the first through-hole 35a to the first locking recess 17, a portion of the first locking pin 35 can be received in the first locking recess 17, and the remaining portion of the first locking pin 35 can be received in the first through-hole 35a, thereby coupling the first locking pin 35 to the first body 11. When the second locking pin 36 moves through the second through-hole 36a to the second locking recess 18, a portion of the second locking pin 36 can be received in the second locking recess 18, and the remaining portion of the second locking pin 36 can be received in the second through-hole 36a, thereby coupling the second locking pin 36 to the second body 12. In this way, the first locking pin 35 can combine the locking member 13 with the first body 11, and the second locking pin 36 can combine the locking member 13 with the second body 12, so that the locking member 13 can be retained in the first body 11 and the second body 12 at the same time, and therefore, the locking member 13 can firmly lock the first side door 3 and the second side door 4.

[0061] When the vehicle collides with the first and second side doors 3 and 4 closed, the locking member 13 can be moved toward the second body 12 by the gas generated by the gas generator 40, so that the locking member 13 can lock the first and second bodies 11 and 12, and thus, the first body 11, the locking member 13, and the second body 12 can define a load path L through which the load passes (see FIG. Figure 1 ). That is, the first body 11, the locking member 13 and the second body 12 may serve as a load member.

[0062] Reference Figure 1 First side door 3 may have a first upper impact beam 5a adjacent to its upper end and a first lower impact beam 5b adjacent to its lower end, and first body 11 may be aligned with first upper impact beam 5a. Second side door 4 may have a second upper impact beam 6a adjacent to its upper end and a second lower impact beam 6b adjacent to its lower end, and second body 12 may be aligned with second upper impact beam 6a. Therefore, a load path L defined by first body 11, locking member 13, and second body 12 may extend along first upper impact beam 5a and second upper impact beam 6a.

[0063] According to the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure described above, when a vehicle collision occurs, the locking member 13 can physically or mechanically connect the first body 11 mounted on the first side door 3 and the second body 12 mounted on the second side door 4, thereby defining a load path L. Because the impact load is transmitted through the load path L, separation of the first side door 3 and the second side door 4 can be minimized. In addition, the first side door 3 and the second side door 4 can be prevented from entering the passenger compartment, thereby significantly improving collision resistance.

[0064] As described above, the locking member according to the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure can securely lock the first and second side doors in the event of a vehicle collision by physically or mechanically connecting a first body mounted on the first side door to a second body mounted on the second side door. This allows a load path to be defined along the first body, the locking member, and the second body. Because the load generated in a vehicle collision can be transmitted through the first side door, the locking member, and the second side door, separation of the first and second side doors can be minimized. Because each side door can be prevented from entering the passenger compartment, collision resistance can be significantly improved and passenger injuries can be reduced.

[0065] Although the present disclosure has been described above with reference to exemplary embodiments and the accompanying drawings, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and various modifications and changes may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as claimed in the following claims.

[0066] 3: First side door

[0067] 4: Second side door

[0068] 11: First Subject

[0069] 12: Second Subject

[0070] 13: Locking member

[0071] 17: First locking recess

[0072] 17a: First tool hole

[0073] 18: Second locking recess

[0074] 18a: Second tool hole

[0075] 21: First cavity

[0076] 21a: First opening

[0077] 22: Second cavity

[0078] 22a: Second opening

[0079] 26: Bursting film

[0080] 27: Buffer film

[0081] 28: Gas generating agent

[0082] 33,34: vents

[0083] 40: Gas generator

[0084] 41: Explosive tube

[0085] 42: Inflatable Room

[0086] 61: first end face

[0087] 62: Second end face

Claims

1. A locking mechanism for a pillarless door, the locking mechanism comprising: a first body mounted on the first side door and having a first cavity; a second body mounted on the second side door and having a second cavity opposite to the first cavity; a locking member configured to be movably received between the first cavity of the first body and the second cavity of the second body; as well as A gas generator comprising a squib and a gas chamber containing a gas generating agent, wherein the gas generating agent is configured to burn upon ignition of the squib, wherein the gas chamber is separated from the first chamber by a bursting disk, wherein the locking member comprises a first end surface facing the second body and a second end surface facing the bursting membrane, wherein the locking member comprises a third cavity configured to receive gas generated by the gas generator, a plurality of vent holes communicating with the third cavity, and a third opening communicating with the third cavity; A plurality of vent holes communicating with the third cavity are provided in the first end surface; and The third opening is provided in the second end surface, wherein the locking member comprises a first through hole communicating with the third cavity, a first locking pin configured to be movably received in the first through hole, a second through hole communicating with the third cavity, and a second locking pin configured to be movably received in the second through hole; and The first locking pin and the second locking pin are configured to be moved toward an outside of the locking member by pressure of gas contained in the third chamber.

2. The locking mechanism according to claim 1, wherein: The first cavity has a volume capable of receiving the entire locking member; and The second cavity has a volume capable of receiving a portion of the locking member.

3. The locking mechanism of claim 1 , wherein: The first body includes a first opening in communication with the first cavity; and The first opening is positioned opposite to the second body.

4. The locking mechanism according to claim 3, wherein: The first body includes a plurality of tear panels disposed about the first opening; When the gas generator is not operating, the plurality of tear panels support the first end surface of the locking member; and Each tear panel is made of a brittle material that can break under a predetermined force.

5. The locking mechanism of claim 1 , wherein: The second body includes a second opening in communication with the second cavity; and The second opening is positioned opposite to the first body.

6. The locking mechanism of claim 5, wherein: The second body includes a plurality of vents communicating with the second cavity; and A plurality of vent holes communicating with the second cavity face the second opening.

7. The locking mechanism according to claim 1, wherein: When the first side door and the second side door are closed, the first body is aligned with the second body in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle.

8. The locking mechanism according to claim 1, wherein: The bursting disk is made of a frangible or rupturable material configured to rupture when the pressure in the inflatable chamber is greater than or equal to a predetermined pressure.

9. The locking mechanism according to claim 1, wherein: When the gas generator operates, the locking member is configured to move toward the second cavity of the second body so that the first end surface of the locking member is received in the second cavity of the second body and the second end surface of the locking member is received in the first cavity of the first body.

10. The locking mechanism of claim 1, wherein: The first body includes a first locking recess in communication with the first cavity; The second body includes a second locking recess in communication with the second cavity; and When the first end surface of the locking member contacts the inner surface of the second body by operation of the gas generator, the first through hole is aligned with the first locking recess, and the second through hole is aligned with the second locking recess.

11. A vehicle comprising: a first side door mounted on a first side of the vehicle; a second side door mounted on the first side of the vehicle; a first body mounted on the first side door and having a first cavity; a second body mounted on the second side door and having a second cavity opposite to the first cavity; a locking member configured to be movably received between the first cavity of the first body and the second cavity of the second body; as well as A gas generator comprising a squib and a gas chamber containing a gas generating agent, wherein the gas generating agent is configured to burn upon ignition of the squib, wherein the gas chamber is separated from the first chamber by a bursting disk, Wherein, the locking member comprises: a first end surface facing the second body; a second end surface facing the bursting membrane; a third chamber configured to receive gas generated by the gas generator; a plurality of vent holes disposed in the first end surface and communicating with the third cavity; a third opening, disposed in the second end surface and communicating with the third cavity; a first through hole, communicating with the third cavity; a first locking pin configured to be movably received in the first through hole; a second through hole communicating with the third cavity; and A second locking pin is configured to be movably received in the second through hole, wherein the first locking pin and the second locking pin are configured to be moved toward the outside of the locking member by pressure of the gas contained in the third chamber.

12. The vehicle of claim 11, wherein: The first cavity has a volume capable of receiving the entire locking member; and The second cavity has a volume capable of receiving a portion of the locking member.

13. The vehicle according to claim 11, wherein: The first body includes: a first opening communicating with the first cavity, the first opening being positioned opposite the second body; and A plurality of tear panels are disposed around the first opening, the plurality of tear panels being configured to support the first end surface of the locking member when the gas generator is not in operation, wherein each tear panel is made of a brittle material capable of breaking under a predetermined force.

14. The vehicle according to claim 11, wherein The second body includes: a second opening communicating with the second cavity, the second opening being positioned opposite the first body; and A plurality of vent holes communicated with the second cavity, the plurality of vent holes communicated with the second cavity facing the second opening.

15. The vehicle of claim 11, wherein: When the first side door and the second side door are closed, the first body is aligned with the second body in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle.

16. The vehicle of claim 11, wherein: The bursting disk is made of a frangible or rupturable material configured to rupture when the pressure in the inflatable chamber is greater than or equal to a predetermined pressure.

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